Ch. 23

Confrontation

JR had just finished his session in physical therapy. He was waiting by the elevators in the hospital for Babe, who was still not here. He had some news to tell her. Everything was going great in PT. He was now able to move his toes back and forth and he could actually feel things on his leg, not just a tingle anymore. Landon Reynolds was convinced that it was the best news, and JR knew it was good, but he still felt that everything was happening too slow.

Be happy, you could still not even feel your legs. JR scolded himself.

As JR looked up he saw Jamie walk out of a patient's room. He frowned as the conversation he had with the brunette, Roxanne, came rushing back to him.

He gritted his teeth as he saw Jamie pause and look down at some charts. He rolled towards Jamie. Jamie looked up and saw JR coming towards him.

This can't be good, Jamie thought.

"Hello James, making your daily rounds?" JR asked coldly.

"What can I help you with JR?" Jamie asked.

"Actually, you know what? I had an interesting conversation with a friend of yours earlier today. Roxanne. Your girlfriend, right?"

Jamie suddenly looked uncomfortable, "Kind of."

"Kind of? What does that mean?"

Jamie shrugged, "It's hard to explain."

"What, that you're just using her for sex? Don't bother denying it Jamie, I know."

"Know what?" Jamie asked.

"About how you were cheating on Babe." JR growled.

Jamie sighed, "JR... I didn't want to, but I just... you know what? It's none of your business."

"The hell it isn't. You're my brother, she is my girlfriend. I have a right to know."

"Have you told Babe?" Jamie asked.

"Not yet." JR said shortly.

"I really don't think you should."

"No, of course you don't."

"It's in the past JR! It was back when I never saw her because she was with you all the time!"

The elevator doors dinged open and Babe stepped out. She looked around and saw Jamie and JR having a heated conversation. Babe scowled and headed towards Jamie, ready to give him a piece of her mind.

"That doesn't change the fact that you slept with another woman when you were together!" JR raised his voice.

Babe slowed as she started hearing more of their conversation.

"I don't know why you care so much. She cheated on you, you should be happy Babe finally got a taste of her own medicine!"

"Do I look happy about it James? You are a selfish jerk. I can't believe you did that to Babe! She didn't deserve it, no matter what she did before."

"Didn't deserve what?" Babe asked, coming up to them.

Both Jamie and JR's heads snapped towards her.

"Didn't deserve what?" Babe repeated.

Jamie sighed and looked away.

Babe glanced at him and then looked at JR, "Well?"

JR sighed, "I don't think you want to hear this."

"I think I do. JR, tell me." Babe demanded.

"Jamie, why don't you tell her what you've done." JR stared at Jamie.

JR was not going to be the one to tell Babe.

Babe looked over to Jamie, who turned his body towards her but his eyes didn't meet hers. "I... I..."

"You what?" Babe narrowed her eyes.

"Back when we were together, I met someone. I... I, I slept with her... when we were still together."

Babe stepped back, still staring at him. "What?"

"I'm sorry. But you were with JR 24/7 and I was so sick of it! And it's not like you would have really cared anyway! You were already falling back in love with JR!" Jamie defended himself.

"That doesn't matter! And of course I would care! I may have been falling back in love with JR but at least I never acted on my feelings!" Babe said bitterly, and turned around, rubbing her head.

JR kept his head down, quietly listening to their conversation, ready to step in if he needed to.

"I'm sorry Babe." Jamie stepped closer to her.

"Don't." Babe snapped, and Jamie stepped back. "Was it just a one time thing? Or is it still going on?" Babe paused, "What's her name...? Is she pretty?" Babe asked quietly.

"Babe, don't ask me those things." Jamie said quietly.

"I already did!" Babe snapped.

"Her name is Roxanne... and we are still together. Yes, she is very pretty."

Babe breathed out and turned away from Jamie.

"Come on Babe, let's go home." JR said, casting an evil glare at Jamie.

Babe shook her head and turned to Jamie, "I hate what you did, and I won't forgive you for it... but I guess I kind of get it. I was never there, and even though I never acted on my feelings, I was still cheating on you because I didn't love you."

Jamie looked away.

"And like you said, I deserved it, right?" Babe asked resentfully.

"No, you didn't." Jamie said.

"Don't lie to me Jamie. I'm sick of your lies. I know you think that." Babe snapped.

Jamie looked down.

"I don't ever want to talk to you again. I don't even want to see you again." Babe said, and turned around, "Good luck with Roxanne. I hope everything works out." Babe started walking towards the elevators.

JR glared at Jamie, "I don't want you to ever talk to her again either. You have caused her enough pain already."

JR followed Babe into the elevator, and they waited in there silently as the elevator went down.

"You OK?" JR wondered.

Babe sighed, and blinked away tears, "Yeah... I don't know why I'm so upset. I'm in love with you and Jamie and I are over."

"But you guys had a past and you trusted him. Even though you love me, you have a right to be upset."

Babe leaned against a wall, "He's right."

"What?" JR looked over at her.

"About me deserving it. I did it to you, and so it's only right for it to happen to me."

"No Babe, you didn't deserve it, not one bit. Doesn't matter what happened with me, it's all in the past."

Babe sighed.

"You should have hit him." JR said after a few moments of silence.

Babe smiled, "Yeah, I should have."

The elevator doors opened and they silently got in the car and drove off.